The Verano Fund
The Verano Fund is a private independent foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts, classified as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation has been tax-exempt since February 2000 and focuses on philanthropic grantmaking to nonprofit organizations across the United States.
Key facts about The Verano Fund
- EIN
- 31-1689508
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $152,500
- Grants made (2025)
- 26
- Average grant
- $5,865
- Median grant
- $3,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (2 of 26, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (40% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who The Verano Fund funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Verano Fund's 26 itemized 2025 grants were Massachusetts (40%), New York (26%) and Iowa (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Des Moines, IA (2 grants), Boston, MA (2 grants) and Cuttyhunk, MA (2 grants). None of its 26 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "2025 Grant" (26 grants).
Is The Verano Fund open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 26 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $6K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 92% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+9%). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with The Verano Fund
- How to evaluate The Verano Fund as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$153K
+8.9% YoY
Grant Count
26
+4.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
+4.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Verano Fund supports organizations working in education, human services, health care, and general charitable purposes. The foundation has demonstrated particular interest in environmental conservation, horticultural initiatives, and international humanitarian work based on recent grant activity.
Grantmaking
The foundation awards grants ranging from $250 to $40,000, with a median grant size of $2,500 to $3,000. In fiscal year 2025, the foundation made 26 grants totaling approximately $152,500 to $154,460. Historically, the foundation has awarded 232 grants totaling $1,054,500 across all years of operation.
Grant Range
of $2,500 to $3,000. In fiscal year 2025, the foundation made 26 grants totaling approximately $152,500 to $154,460. Historically, the foundation has awarded 232 grants totaling $1,054,500 across all years of operation.
Ready to take the next step with The Verano Fund?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation distributes grants across multiple states with a primary focus on Massachusetts, which receives 56% of grants. Within Massachusetts, funding concentrates in Boston (15%), Cuttyhunk (10%), and New Bedford (9%). Additional funding reaches organizations in Iowa, Texas, and at least 10 other states nationwide.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 26 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $1,754,275 (as of fiscal year 2025)
Revenue (FY2025): $103,030
- Dividends: $64,176 (62.3%)
- Sales of Assets: $38,854 (37.7%)
Expenses (FY2025): $180,261
- Charitable Disbursements: $154,460 (85.7%)
Net Income (FY2025): -$77,231
Net Assets: $1,754,275 with no liabilities
The foundation has shown a moderate 31% growth trend over nine years, indicating stable and gradually increasing funding capacity.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
137 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Water for the South Sudan ($40,000), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute ($12,500), Iowa Public Radio ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| WATER FOR THE SOUTH SUDAN Rochester, NY | 2025 GRANT | $40,000 |
| WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTE Woods Hole, MA | 2025 GRANT | $12,500 |
| IOWA PUBLIC RADIO Des Moines, IA | 2025 GRANT | $10,000 |
| WELLESLEY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Wellesley, MA | 2025 GRANT | $10,000 |
| ST JUDES CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL Memphis, TN | 2025 GRANT | $8,500 |
| WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Boylston, MA | 2025 GRANT | $8,000 |
| TO WRITE LOVE ON HER ARMS Melbourne, FL | 2025 GRANT | $7,000 |
| TUBMAN Minneapolis, MN | 2025 GRANT | $7,000 |
| TRUSTEES OF TRINTY COLLEGE CLASS OF 1940 Hartford, CT | 2025 GRANT | $5,500 |
| BELMONT DAY SCHOOL Belmont, MA | 2025 GRANT | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key trustees include A Dix Leeson Jr. and Charles (last name not fully provided in sources).
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2025 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Dix Leeson Jr | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Charles E Clapp III | Trustee | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Verano Fund fund?
The Verano Fund supports organizations working in education, human services, health care, and general charitable purposes. The foundation has demonstrated particular interest in environmental conservation, horticultural initiatives, and international humanitarian work based on recent grant activity.
How do I apply for a grant from The Verano Fund?
The foundation awards grants ranging from $250 to $40,000, with a median grant size of $2,500 to $3,000. In fiscal year 2025, the foundation made 26 grants totaling approximately $152,500 to $154,460. Historically, the foundation has awarded 232 grants totaling $1,054,500 across all years of operation. Recent notable grants include $40,000 to Water for the South Sudan, $12,500 to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, $10,000 to Iowa Public Radio, $10,000 to Wellesley Congregational Church, and $8…
Where does The Verano Fund make grants?
The foundation distributes grants across multiple states with a primary focus on Massachusetts, which receives 56% of grants. Within Massachusetts, funding concentrates in Boston (15%), Cuttyhunk (10%), and New Bedford (9%). Additional funding reaches organizations in Iowa, Texas, and at least 10 other states nationwide.
What size grants does The Verano Fund award?
In 2025, The Verano Fund awarded 26 grants totaling $153K — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Verano Fund's EIN?
The Verano Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1689508. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.